A range of goods is needed by a charity set up to help those living in refugee camps in Calais and Dunkirk.

Made up of volunteers, Herts for Refugees makes donations to help refugees and holds a number of fundraising events.

The group has already received pledges amounting to £1,000 from the forthcoming St Albans Half Marathon and is going to spend the money on caravans to provide child refugees with a safe place to stay at night.

Sally Robinson, one of the organisers of Herts for Refugees, appealed for more sponsorship so the charity could purchase more caravans.

They are also holding a collection this Sunday (22) at St Paul’s Place garages, off Hatfield Road in St Albans, and are asking people to donate items such as hoodies, shoes, tents, blankets, and sleeping bags.

Recently we, as a family (minus two of the kids), visited The Lodge RSPB reserve in Sandy, Bedfordshire. I had never been before, which is perhaps amiss of me as a birdwatcher as it is the headquarters of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds or RSPB and only 45 minutes drive from home.